Three best matches between Chennai and Kolkata in the history of Indian T20 League
KKR-CSK (image source: BCCI)
2. Opening Match of 2011 Indian T20 League
After a great 2010 season, Chennai was looking to begin its title defence with a win against Kolkata. It was the first match of the 2011 Indian T20 League. Chennai batted first in this match. Srikkanth Aniruddha score a steady half-century (64 off 55) and with lower-order contributions by Raina, Dhoni and Albie Morkel, Chennai reached a total of 153 runs.
When Kolkata came out to chase, except Jacques Kallis (54 off 42), the top order fell apart. Kolkata needed to score 26 runs in the last two overs. Sri Lankan Suraj Randiv was brought into the attack. Lakshmiratan Shukla scored a boundary of the first ball and took a single of the next delivery. Manoj Tiwary slammed two big sixes off the next two balls and the match turned Kolkata’s way. In the last ball of the over, Dhoni stumped Tiwary of Randiv. Kolkata now needed 9 runs of the last over and Tim Southee was handed the ball. Southee just gave away 6 runs in the over and also picked up Shukla’s wicket. Chennai snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and won the match by 2 runs.
